By Nick Bowen, www.afl.com.au
Jaeger O’Meara from the Gold Coast Suns is the 2013 NAB AFL Rising Star.
Jaeger received the Ron Evans Medal, a $20,000 Private Wealth Investment portfolio and access to a dedicated personal banker, courtesy of the National Australia Bank at a function held in Melbourne today.
The 19-year-old midfielder won with 44 of a possible 45 votes, followed by Brad Crouch (31 votes) and Oliver Wines (26 votes).
Jaeger debuted in Round One and was one of only two Gold Coast players to play all 22 matches for the season. In 2013 he averaged 22 disposals, 10 contested possessions, four marks and three inside 50s.
He received his Rising Star nomination in Round Five against the Greater Western Sydney Giants after a return of 25 disposals, five marks, four tackles and two goals.
He had the most disposals (476), most contested possessions (209), most clearances (88) and most tackles (111) of the nominees. His 111 tackles also ranked first at the Suns and 16th overall in the AFL.
Gold Coast Suns coach Guy McKenna said Jaeger’s debut season was one of the best.
“Jaeger has impressed everyone involved at the Gold Coast Football Club since he arrived the club.
“For a player to come in to a senior side and do what he has been able to do this year is unique, to do it at a football club in our position, with so many inexperienced players is purely phenomenal.
“Each and every time Jaeger has taken the field he has played beyond his years. His teammates look up to him and lift for him that speaks volumes of his character and is a reflection of his hard work and professionalism.
“His attitude and intensity together, with his ability to crack in and win the contested footy and work both ways is fantastic and the exciting thing for all Gold Coast fans is that he will continue to improve the more he plays at this level,” he said.
National Australia Bank CEO, Cameron Clyne, said NAB was again proud to be associated with the NAB AFL Rising Stars Program.
“This is a fantastic achievement for Gold Coast Suns’ Jaeger O’Meara, a young player whose leadership, intensity and talent make him a worthy 2013 NAB AFL Rising Star,” Mr Clyne said.
“NAB is delighted to contribute to the development of young footballers throughout their pathway from NAB AFL Auskick through to the NAB AFL Rising Stars Program. We believe in the potential of young people and we look forward to celebrating Jaeger’s career success well into the future.”
Jaeger came to the Suns in 2011 via the 2011 17-year-old mini-draft, where he was selection number one. In 2012 he played for the Suns’ reserves side in the NEAFL. He was recruited from Dongara, which is south of Geraldton in Western Australia.
An outstanding junior player, Jaeger represented Western Australia in 2011 and was an Under-18 All-Australian. He was a member of the AIS-AFL Academy squad.
The NAB AFL Rising Star is voted by the All-Australian selection panel; Andrew Demetriou (chairman), Kevin Bartlett, Luke Darcy, Mark Evans, Danny Frawley, Glen Jakovich, Cameron Ling and Mark Ricciuto and Kevin Sheehan (rising star selector only).
2013 Voting
Jaeger O’Meara 44 Gold Coast Suns
Brad Crouch 31 Adelaide Crows
Oliver Wines 26 Port Adelaide
Aaron Mullett 11 North Melbourne
Tom Mitchell 11 Sydney Swans
Nick Vlastuin 7 Richmond
Lachie Whitfield 3 Greater Western Sydney Giants
Brodie Grundy 1 Collingwood
Sam Mayes 1 Brisbane Lions
The selectors’ votes were as follows:
Andrew Demetriou
5 – Jaeger O’Meara
4 – Brad Crouch
3 – Oliver Wines
2 – Tom Mitchell
1 – Aaron Mullett
Luke Darcy
5 – Jaeger O’Meara
4 – Brad Crouch
3 – Oliver Wines
2 – Tom Mitchell
1 – Brodie Grundy
Mark Evans
5 – Jaeger O’Meara
4 – Oliver Wines
3 – Nick Vlastuin
2 – Aaron Mullett
1 – Lachie Whitfield
Danny Frawley
5 – Jaeger O’Meara
4 – Brad Crouch
3 – Oliver Wines
2 – Tom Mitchell
1 – Aaron Mullett
Glen Jakovich
5 – Jaeger O’Meara
4 – Oliver Wines
3 – Aaron Mullett
2 – Brad Crouch
1 – Nick Vlastuin
Cameron Ling
5 – Jaeger O’Meara
4 – Brad Crouch
3 – Nick Vlastuin
2 – Tom Mitchell
1 – Aaron Mullett
Mark Ricciuto
5 – Brad Crouch
4 – Jaeger O’Meara
3 – Oliver Wines
2 – Tom Mitchell
1 – Aaron Mullett
Kevin Sheehan
5 – Jaeger O’Meara
4 – Brad Crouch
3 – Oliver Wines
2 – Lachie Whitfield
1 – Sam Mayes
The NAB AFL Rising Star is the pinnacle of the NAB AFL Rising Stars Program, which supports grassroots players and football communities and helps young Australians fulfil their dream of playing in the AFL.
NAB has been Footifying Australia since 2002 through the NAB AFL Rising Stars Program which comprises the following elements:
NAB AFL Rising Star
NAB AFL Draft
NAB AFL Draft Combine
NAB AFL Under-18 Championships
AIS-AFL Academy
NAB AFL Under-16 Championships
